When it comes to face moisturizers, the choices are seemingly endless. Drugstores and high-end department stores are packed with creams, moisturizers, serums and more—all promising everything from younger-looking skin to a blemish-free complexion. But what makes one moisturizer different from another? It all comes down to its ingredients.
Packed with any number of substances (and preservatives and additives), not all moisturizers are created equal. Many people rarely check the ingredients label on their beauty products. And it's no wonder— reading the ingredient list of your favorite beauty product can be downright confusing. It's usually packed with unpronounceable names that don't make sense to the common consumer. And opting for the most expensive bottle isn't your best bet – they may simply contain hard-to-get, but ineffective ingredients. To help you cut through the confusion, we talked to dermatologists to come up with the top five ingredients you should look for in your moisturizer. They'll help you save face and reveal your softest, smoothest skin yet.
Dimethicone
Pronounced "dye-METH-i-kone", this ingredient may be found in many skin care, makeup and hair care products. Manufacturers use it in moisturizers, primers and foundations because it helps fill in uneven texture and fine lines, creating a smooth, flawless look. "Dimethicone is the main ingredient in most oil-free moisturizers," says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. "It's a light emollient that forms a protective layer over the skin's surface, helping to hydrate and keep moisture in." Emollients, like petrolatum, lanolin, and mineral oil, soften and moisturize the skin and can also decrease flaking [Source: WebMD]. They do this by creating an oily layer on top of the skin that traps water.
Petrolatum
If you've ever used Vaseline, you're probably familiar with petrolatum (aka, petroleum jelly). Derived from petroleum (the same kind used for gasoline and other products such as deodorant), petroleum jelly is a staple in many people's medicine cabinets—and for good reason. It's great for smoothing and protecting rough skin. "Petrolatum is an occlusive ingredient that prevents water loss and an emollient that hydrates the rough dead cells on the skin's surface," says Zeichner. If you have dry skin, be sure to look for petrolatum on a product's ingredients list. Folks with normal to oily skin may want to skip petrolatum, though, as it may exacerbate greasy skin.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid has been getting a lot of buzz in the beauty world lately. Because of its ability to plump and soften skin, it's been showing up in moisturizers and serums over the last few years. Unlike some other skin care ingredients, hyaluronic acid is actually already present in the human body [Source: WebMD]. A viscous, gooey substance, it helps lubricate joints and is even found in the fluid of eyeballs to help maintain their shape [Source: WebMD]. However, like many substances in our bodies, it naturally depletes as we age—which is why beauty product manufacturers have begun adding it to products. "Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that hydrates by drawing water in to the outer layers from deep within the skin," says Zeichner. In fact, it is said to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. As a result, it makes skin appear plumper and feel softer and smoother. That may be why it's often used as a lip filler in plastic surgery!
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